If Georgia Tech’s loss to the Miami Hurricanes could be described as disappointing, another term may have to be used to depict what happened at Bobby Dodd Stadium last Saturday. A clearly demoralized Georgia Tech football team took the field and was soundly blown out by Middle Tennessee State, 49-28.

A team that very well could have been 5-0 is now looking at a 2-3 record with a 1-2 ACC record due to two overtime losses that could have been won in regulation. The team’s inability to be resilient coming off losses has now put it in a big hole in the standings with seven games left to salvage what was expected to be a solid season.

Despite Tevin Washington tying a school record with four rushing touchdowns in the game, he became the only bright spot in a game that will be remembered for the way the defense played. The game was supposed to be a matchup that got the Jackets back on track after surrendering the Miami game away.

The Georgia Tech defense allowed more than 40 points for the second week in a row and allowed 510 yards of total offense, including 217 rushing yards from Benny Cunningham, who also scored five touchdowns for the Blue Raiders. Coach Paul Johnson’s team just never got itself together and seemingly wasn’t able to shake off the disappointment against Miami to be ready to take on an upset-minded team.

TIGER TOWN

If the MTSU game wasn’t a wake-up call for the Jackets then they could be looking at another tough contest on the road at Clemson, which will be out for revenge after last season’s loss in Atlanta. The Tigers currently stand at 6-1, with their lone loss coming against the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles.

The Jackets will have to find ways to stop the high-powered Clemson offense, led by quarterback Tajh Boyd. The Tigers’ signal-caller has been outstanding in his junior season so far, passing for 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Tech will also need to find a way to contain dynamic receiver Sammy Watkins, who, despite playing in just two of the Tigers’ games so far, is expected to be at full strength come Saturday. The Jackets will need to play almost perfectly to get themselves back on track.